Kickturn, Brie Spangler
Kickturn, Brie Spangler
List: $11.00 | Sale: $7.70
Club: $5.50

Kickturn

Author: Brie Spangler

Narrator: Caitlin Kelly

Unabridged: 2 hr 21 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/17/2025


Synopsis

Lindy has gotten used to life on the road in her parents refurbished school bus. But when the bus breaks down in San Jose, will she finally get to meet her skateboarding idol—and maybe the chance to put down roots, too? This coming of age novel explores the importance of trying new things and the community you find when you do.

Lindy doesn't love living a nomadic life with her influencer parents in their renovated RV-school bus—but she's used to it. They travel from national park to national park, where her mom creates #yogalife content. Lindy is supposed to be homeschooling, but really, she’s watching her favorite skateboarder on YouTube, day to night.

When the bus breaks down in San Jose, Lindy happens to meet a few local girls who want to take her to a real, live skate park. And when they do, Lindy immediately falls in love. With skateboarding. With having friends that aren’t her cat. With staying in the same place for a little while.

Lindy’s parents want to get back on the road as soon as the bus is fixed—but Lindy is willing to do anything to get them to stay. Even if that means sabotage. Will they ever be able to put down roots? And will Lindy’s parents ever forgive her if they do?

About The Author

Author/illustrator of children's picture books, graphic novels, and YA novels, Brie Spangler loves to draw and write stories, and drink massive amounts of caffeine. Writing down the ideas in her head was scary as a kid, so she turned to making pictures instead. Brie worked as an illustrator for several years before she began to write and immediately became a frothing addict. Her YA novel Beast was nominated for a Lambda Award and was named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly and Kirkus. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Brie now lives in the Bay Area with her family.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Margaux on June 26, 2025

To start my review, I'd love to send out a huge thank you to the author, Brie Spangler, Random House Children's (Knopf), and N*tGall*y for the privilege of being able to read an advanced digital copy of Kickturn. Kickturn is a really heartfelt, part-journal/part-graphic novel for middle grade reader......more

Goodreads review by Lori on July 11, 2025

In KICKTURN, Lindy’s family lives a nontraditional life, traveling from spot to spot in a repurposed school bus, stopping to give her influencer mom a chance to capture her perfect moment, then moving on. Lindy has tired of this lifestyle, feeling lonely and struggling with online school. When the b......more

Goodreads review by Liz on May 22, 2025

Kickturn is fun coming of age story that I think a lot of kids will find something they can relate to in. The main character Lindy growing up isolated from her peers on a school bus to want-to-be influencer parents who seem more concerned with the content they’re making and their audience than their......more

Goodreads review by Nikki on July 09, 2025

This is a great middle grade book about skateboarding and family. I also love the short length that will appeal to my students that aren’t up for a lengthy book. Definitely adding it to my wish list for my middle school library.......more

Goodreads review by Larakaa on July 03, 2025

Captures the spirit of skateboarding very well. Avoids stereotypes. Loved the drawings and explanations.......more


Quotes

"A freewheeling tale about a spirited girl discovering her needs, wants, and personal agency." —Publishers Weekly

"A relatable tale of friendship and self-discovery." —Kirkus Reviews

"Skateboarders and fans of Dork Diaries or Meg Cabot’s From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess (2015) will especially relish Spangler’s latest." —Booklist